World Aquaculture 2021

May 24 - 27, 2022

Mérida, Mexico

ECTOPARASITES IN Seriola rivoliana PRODUCTION IN THE GULF OF CALIFORNIA: CHALLENGES AND AREAS OF OPPORTUNITY

 

Ana G. Trasviña Moreno*, Sergio Maciel Zapata and Alejandro Ysla Guzmán.

 

*Centro de Investigaciones en Maricultura Sustentable, CIMAS.

Delfines 225, La Paz, B.C.S. México, C.P.23094.

Email: ana.trasvina@kampachi.mx

 



Mariculture of Seriola rivoliana in the Gulf of California, México is subject, like other marine finfish species, to parasitic infestations. Managing them is a central issue for health and welfare. The main parasite species affecting S. rivoliana’s growth cycle is Neobendenia spp. The Gulf of California is a natural habitat of S. rivoliana and is therefore ideal for its production. However, given the large number of native fish species in the area (about 911 documented species) the probability of encountering parasite vectors is correspondingly high. In the specific case of Neobenedenia spp, it has been reported to infect about 100 species of 30 different families, and 5 different orders of fish in the world. For this reason, total prevention of parasitic infestations in this circumstance is practically impossible. Moreover, Neobenedenia spp is a parasite with a direct life cycle. The adult affixes to its host and lays filamentous eggs into the water. These hatch into ciliated larvae (oncomiracidia) that can re-infect rapidly the same host, and the filaments of the eggs allow them to entangle to any available surface. Typical management methods used to control monogeneans parasites infecting fish are freshwater baths, oral administration of the anthelmintic praziquantel, and hydrogen peroxide or formalin baths. In this work we present results of different treatments applied in the course of two and half years. We also evaluate different management strategies for the specific conditions of our production site. The main goal is to determinate the best strategy that will balance animal welfare, certification standards, production costs and also minimizing environmental impact. We share the challenges and areas of opportunity that we have identified throughout this process.